Restaurateur From Rye Brook Winner On 'Food Network Star' Show

Two cooks with ties to Westchester and Fairfield counties made it to the final two on the Food Network's next 'Food Network Star."

Pleasantville's Jessica Tom with Food Network's Chef Robert Irvine.
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

Christian Petroni of Rye Brook showing one of Fortina's signature pizzas.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy of Fortina*

Local Food Network star Jessica Tom
Photo Credit: *Facebook*

Jon Craig

08/08/2018 9:00 a.m.

For the first time in the popular TV show's history, there was a tie.

The Sunday, Aug. 5 finale ended with Jessica Tom of Pleasantville and Christian Petroni of Rye Brook named winners.

Tom, a Pleasantville High School graduate, survived elimination from the Food Network's next "Food Network Star," but fought back, winning the Star Salvation round to become a winner.

Petroni premiered as a contestant as reported by Daily Voice here in June on the new season of Food Network Star hosted by Giada De Laurentiis and Bobby Flay.

Petroni is the co-owner of the Fortina restaurants in Armonk, Yonkers, Rye Brook, Brooklyn and Stamford. He won Season 4 of "Chopped" and has been a judge on the Food Network show.

Petroni watched Sunday's finale from the Armonk Fortina restaurant.

The finale capped nine weeks of competition. It marked the first time in the show's 14-year history that the finale ended with two winners.

Manny Washington, a firefighter and TV fan favorite from Orlando, Florida was bumped off by Westchester's sizzling duo.

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